A recent visitor to Cerro Tololo InterAmerican Observatory has reported that the sun has set on a venerable tradition at CTIO.   The patient, forgiving, user friendly VW Beetles, older than quite a few of the astronomers using the CTIO telescopes, are no more.   

No longer will astronomers be greeted by the expectant visage of these small white companions anxious to convey their human masters to one of the telescopes on the flattened summit of Cerro Tololo. 

Nor will they be faced with the joyous task at the end of a long night of approaching the waiting line of these little white wonders, stumbling from one to another trying to remember which was theirs.  Only after many mind numbing, sleep deprived days and nights of observing and sharing one's life with these unassuming, friendly little creatures would you begin to notice that as you approached the one that was bonding to you, it emitted little squeaking sounds, expressions of joy at seeing you yet again. 

There is one possible replacement  that could be trained to bond to astronomers nearly as well as a VW Bug.  It probably will be rejected, though, as not being quite as user friendly.

Perhaps the Observatory will go back to the golf cart days?  Observing at CTIO will never be the same.